It was just over one year ago when ESPN.com’s Ian Begley reported that Derrick Rose, who was headed for unrestricted free agency, would seek a maximum salary deal. Despite his decorated injury history, Rose was enjoying a solid offensive season in New York and while a max deal seemed unlikely at the time, the idea sounds downright laughable a year later.

Just like in years past, Rose finished the 2016/17 season on his team’s injured list after he tore the meniscus in his left knee. Rose finished the year averaging 18.0 PPG, his highest in a season where he played at least 40 games since his MVP campaign in 2010/11. The Knicks had no clear solution at point guard and reports suggested that Rose wanted to stay in New York.

However, the Knicks were immersed in behind-the-scenes turmoil while then-team president Phil Jackson was in control. Jackson confirmed Rose wanted to stay and was open to the idea. Shortly thereafter, Jackson was fired, the Knicks drafted Frenchman Frank Ntilikina, and Rose was in search of a new home. Rose’s max contract did not materialize; the market for his services never developed and he signed a one-year, minimum salary deal with Cleveland.

“I get a chance to reintroduce myself back to the league. I get to bet on myself,” Rose said after signing the deal (via ESPN.com’s Dave McMenamin). “That was one of the reasons I came here: I get to bet on myself. And I’m from Chicago, I’ve got that hustling side; it’s in me, man. Next time you’ve got to pay me, you’ve got to pay me double, so it’s fine with me.”

Rose’s stint in The Land was nothing short of forgettable. He left the team in late November to contemplate his future as injuries piled up. He reportedly considered retirement — something he denied later on. Rose returned to the court in mid-January, but the Cavaliers were falling apart and the former MVP — strictly a part-time reserve — was not much of a factor.

In 16 games with Cleveland, Rose averaged a career-worst 9.8 PPG. He was traded to the Jazz as part of a three-team deal on deadline day and was officially waived on Saturday. Reports have mentioned the Timberwolves and Wizards as two potential destinations. Minnesota is led by Tom Thibodeau, who was Rose’s coach during his best seasons in Chicago; the Wizards will be without star John Wall for a while and could use some point guard depth.

At 29 years old, both Rose’s production and body are unreliable. For many — particularly Rose — it is hard to accept that a player who was once the youngest MVP in league history is unemployed at an age where many assumed he would still be one of the game’s elite.

The pressing question is how much longer will Rose want to continue? Where do you see Rose finishing the 2017/18 season, if he plays at all? Should he sit out the rest of the year and try again in 2018/19? Rose averaged 18.0 PPG just one year ago; can he come anywhere close to that again? Please share your thoughts and comments down below.

24 thoughts on “Community Shootaround: Derrick Rose’s Future”

If he wants a chance to get time, knowing it’s a chance to show he has something to offer even as a reserve, going to the wizards would be the best opp. He’d get some good minutes till wall was back and quality playoff opp after that. If he’s looking for a comfortable roll though, the wolves are what he’ll choose. He should bet on himself if he thinks he has something to offer and go with the wiz if the opp is even there. They apparently are strongly considering Ramon sessions and ty Lawson too right

With all due respect to Greg Oden and Brandon Roy, D-Rose has to be the greatest “what if” case of our time. The sky was the absolute limit for him and could have been a perennial MVP without those injuries. Unbelievable how far he has fallen.

As far as his future, I think a backup role is his best option for now, however I do wonder if he contemplates hanging them up for good. With his leave of absence earlier in the season, it’s feasible to just see him walk away.

The injuries were only a part of the problem. His lack of desire to play after he got his big contract is the biggest flaw of him. I had no problem with him being cautious, but to choose to sit out after being cleared multiple times by team doctors told me everything I needed to know about him as a player and as a man. He is the most selfish player in NBA history in my opinion. I hope he is done. I wouldn’t want him on my team for anything.

He won an MVP, not the “Most Selfish Player” award you giving him. Like c’mon man you don’t want him on yo team? What? You LeBron James in disguise or something? “He choose to sit down”, because he listening to Kendrick Lamar “sit down be humble b—- boyum”. If he not getting injured, he scoring

So you know what his mental and physical state was at the time? Just because you are “cleared” doesn’t mean you are ready to go out there night in and night out. Also, his injuries have obviously had an effect mentally as he is just not the same even. He still shows flashes of what he was before and maybe he will be better on another team.

He was cleared to play, and he chose to sit. That will always be what’s remembered. But given all the injuries that followed the first, I think it’s safe he never fully recovered from it. You don’t tear your meniscus in the same knee a month into your return if you’re really and truly healed.

Unless he can develop a consistent shot and become a threat from outside, there’s really no place for him in the league, which hurts me to say it because he was one of the reasons why I really got into basketball. Injuries really killed his style of play and especially now at his age, he can’t keep slashing/driving to the rim. He has to change his game to the style of today’s NBA and that is outside shooting

Rose catches on with Minny and gets 8-10 minutes a game. Next year he signs the ceremonial contract with the Bulls and retires where he started.

I was never a fan, thought that if he wanted to be a true Superstar he would have put more effort into improving his flaws (3 PT shooting being the biggest). There are a tonne of players who have spent considerable time working on their 3PT game to fit in to today’s NBA, including now All-Stars like Demar Derozan (shooting career high 34.3% this year). Rose never showed that desire or dedication to his craft.

That’s not to say I don’t feel bad for the guy, you hate to see the injuries pile up for anyone, but I don’t think he has the desire to fight anymore.